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Andrew Krech / The Citizens' Voice
Jessica Shultz places an angel on top of the tree in honor of her late daughter Camryn Lee Shultz on Saturday during the tree-decorating ceremony at Betty Mascelli Park in Forty Fort.

FORTY FORT - Had it not been for a tragic morning in late October, Camryn Lee Shultz would have been at Betty Mascelli Park on Saturday.

Jessica Shultz, admittedly a "very private" person, has rarely spoken publicly since the Oct. 27 murder-suicide that left her 1-year-old daughter and estranged husband dead.

But surrounded by nearly 100 friends, families and total strangers Saturday for "Santa in the Park," an event allowing children to meet Santa Claus, Jessica Shultz opened up, enthusiastically describing her daughter and thanking the community.

"I didn't know a lot of people in the area, I just moved here two and a half years ago," Jessica Shultz said. "To see a community come together when something like this happens - not even knowing us - it's just fantastic."

"Santa in the Park" additionally featured an opportunity for children to decorate a Christmas tree, in which the top ornament was placed atop the tree by Jessica Shultz in memory of her daughter.

Jessica Shultz happily reminisced about her daughter, saying what she remembers most about Camryn Lee Shultz is her smile and larger-than-life personality.

"For being just under 2 years old, she'd just light up the room," Jessica Shultz said. "As soon as she'd walk in, everybody would love her within just one or two minutes of knowing her."

Since Camryn Lee Shultz's death, this is the second community event organized by Families for Forty Fort, as a candlelight vigil for the 1-year-old was held in early November.

Families for Forty Fort founder Amy Craig has no personal connection to Jessica Shultz, but the urge to help is second nature, she said.

"I think that it affected everybody," Craig said. "Everybody feels for them and of course, parents feel it a little bit more because I have no idea how she's dealing with it."

Lifetime Forty Fort resident and Mayor-Elect Andy Tuzinski said "Santa in the Park" is an old tradition the borough is trying to bring back.

Tuzinski said the event had been planned for a while, but after taking a suggestion from a friend, additional plans were put in place to honor Camryn Lee Shultz.

"Forty Fort's a very nice, strong community. We're doing things like this to keep that community strong," Tuzinski said. "Our reason for being here today is to memorialize Camryn, but also to start Christmas off for the children."

mbufano@citizensvoice.com

570-821-2117, @CVBufano

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